Council Tax for Councillors: M5S Outcry

M5S Regional Councilors Criticize New Contribution System for Regional Politicians in Basilicata

Regional councilors Alessia Araneo and Viviana Verri of the M5S have strongly condemned a recent amendment to DDL no. 50/2025 introducing a contribution system for councillors, councilors, and presidents in the Basilicata region. they argue the measure, presented as expenditure-neutral, is deceptive and ultimately burdens citizens.

Key criticisms include:

• Financial Burden: While one-third of contributions are paid by elected representatives, two-thirds come from regional funds – ultimately public and community money that will impact Lucanian citizens.
• Timing & Openness: The amendment was introduced near Christmas, hidden within the budget law amongst numerous other amendments, and without direct endorsement from the Regional Council or President.
• Retroactivity & Legitimacy: The rule is retroactive, extending to two previous legislatures, raising questions about its legal standing.
• Priorities Misplaced: the M5S councilors argue the amendment demonstrates a concerning prioritization of the ruling class’s financial security over the region’s pressing economic and social issues, including high unemployment, outmigration of young graduates, and consistently low rankings in economic and social indicators.
• Ethical Concerns: They draw a parallel to the “naked king” fairy tale,suggesting a pretense of value where none exists,and accuse the regional politics of self-serving behavior. They emphasize a worthy ruling class should prioritize the needs of its citizens, especially the most vulnerable.

Did you know?-Basilicata is one of italy’s 20 administrative regions, located in the southern part of the country. It’s known for its mountainous terrain and relatively low population density.

The M5S representatives call for a transparent public debate on the issue, postponed until the next legislature, and warn that proceeding with the amendment would break the trust with voters and damage the social fabric of the community. They believe the current approach represents a turning inward of power rather than responsible governance.

Pro tip:-Regional budgets in Italy are complex documents. Amendments are frequently enough numerous and can be challenging for the public to track without specialized knowledge.

The amendment, passed within the broader budget law, establishes a contribution system where regional politicians are required to contribute financially. However, the M5S councilors highlight that the majority of the financial burden-two-thirds-falls upon regional funds, effectively drawing from public resources. This contradicts the initial presentation of the measure as expenditure-neutral. The timing of the amendment’s introduction, shortly before the Christmas holiday, is also criticized for its lack of transparency, as it was embedded within a large budget package and lacked explicit approval from the Regional Council or its President.

Reader question:-How might this amendment affect the allocation of funds for essential public services in Basilicata, such as healthcare or education?

Further complicating the matter is the amendment’s retroactive application, extending its reach to the two preceding legislatures. This raises legal questions regarding its legitimacy and fairness. Araneo and Verri contend that this prioritization of financial security for the ruling class is particularly concerning given basilicata’s ongoing economic and social challenges,including high unemployment rates,the emigration of skilled young professionals,and consistently low performance in key economic and social indicators. The M5S councilors have not indicated any plans for legal challenges, but continue to push for a public debate.